Wisconsin's governor praised Republican leaders in Oklahoma for pushing to reduce its state's income tax and encouraging them to stand by their conservative principles.

Facing a recall election in his home state that was spurred by anger over his plan to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public workers, Gov. Scott Walker faced a friendly crowd Wednesday at a fundraiser for a conservative Oklahoma City think-tank.

The crowd inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum gave Walker a standing ovation when Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin introduced him as the nation's "poster child" for taking on tough political battles.

Outside, a group of more than 200 union workers and protestors lined the street and expressed support for Walker's ouster in Wisconsin.